The Hillsdale College football team got roughed up by the No. 8-ranked Ashland University Eagles Saturday afternoon, 52-21, in Ohio. Ashland remains undefeated on the season (7-0) while Hillsdale falls to 1-6 overall and 1-5 in the GLIAC.
The Eagles generated 639 yards of total offense in the game, the second-most given up by a Hillsdale team in its history. Ashland hurt Hillsdale with one big play after another in the game. The Eagles had 15 plays that covered 15 or more yards in the game, a big-play element Hillsdale just couldn't match. Ashland averaged 10.3 yards per play for the game, nearly double Hillsdale's total.
The Charger offense was able to put together several respectable statistical games, both as a team and individually despite the lopsided loss. Redshirt-freshman quarterback Chance Stewart made his first career road start and went 17-for-29 for 206 yards, two touchdown passes and had one rushing touchdown. He scrambled in from 7 yards out in the first quarter to tie the game at 7, in what would end up being the high point of the afternoon for the Chargers.
True freshman Trey Brock set career-highs for catches (7) and receiving yards (111) in the game, as he showed quick-developing chemistry with Stewart. Brock became the first Charger with a 100-yard receiving game since John Haley set a single-game record with 268 at Lake Erie in September 2014.
Another freshman, running back Joe Reverman, set career-highs with 19 carries for 92 yards. The trio of Brock, Reverman and Stewart are gaining valuable experience, even in games like this, that will pay dividends down the road for the Charger offense.
Sophomore Brian Newman hauled in 5 passes for 53 yards and a touchdown, while senior tight end Kegan Smith caught Stewart's other scoring pass.
Will Jones and Jay Rose led the defense with 5 solo tackles and 7 total tackles apiece.
Hillsdale returns home next week to host Tiffin University for a homecoming kickoff of 4:30 p.m.